Chelsea legend Joe Cole has urged his former club to explore a move for AFC Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo.
The Ghana international has caught the eye across the Premier League following a blistering start to the season, tallying six goals and three assists in 11 league appearances.
The 25-year-old, who recently signed a long-term contract with Bournemouth reportedly including a £65 million release clause, has emerged as one of the most sought-after talents this term.
Chelsea already boast depth on the wings, with summer signings Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens, while 18-year-old Estevao has also impressed in his early appearances.
Despite this, Cole believes Semenyo could make an immediate impact under manager Maresca.
“Knowing Chelsea, he might be too old! I’d have to check his age, but from a football perspective, if he’s available and he wants to come, it’s a no-brainer in terms of bringing him into the football club,” Cole said in an exclusive interview with Paddy Power.
“With Chelsea’s model, there’ll be a financial element and evaluation element to it, so it’ll come down to that.
“He’d be a welcome addition to the Chelsea squad, and he probably starts, because he’s been superb for Bournemouth.”
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, however, has played down any immediate concerns over the forward’s future.
“We are in November. Antoine is our player; he will continue being our player. In January, you can ask me about the market in January, but right now I’m not worried about the next markets,” Iraola said in his press conference on Friday.
“It’s something that especially you know that I hate to talk about in August, January, the moments when the market is open, but it is not one of those moments. It’s November.
“I’m more worried about the situation of the players to play tomorrow, the short-term, the things that really matter and in January, we will talk about whatever happens, the players we need. But it is not something that I’m worried about today.”
